Walk-in closet design has taken off in the past few years, especially with the popularity of lifestyle and design televisions shows that feature celebrities, athletes, and other wealthy people. No longer is a walk-in closet just a 4-foot by 6-foot space with clothes hanging in a U-shaped pattern along the walls. Today’s walk-in closets can become rooms unto themselves, doubling as changing rooms, lounges, and spas.

I really enjoy designing these spaces, because they fall into the organizational and personal luxury areas of design and can really give the homeowners a real sense of satisfaction when they’re completes.

Here are some of the top features in today’s designer walk-in closets.

1. Organization systems – Today’s formal walk-in closets are usually anchored by organization systems. These systems can include a variety of modular pieces that can be rearranged after installing. They can be open faced, with traditional front-facing hanging bars and shelves. They can also include armoire-style closed-faced furniture, complete with drawers and pull-out hanging units. Even the open-faced models can come equipped with pull-out racks and drawers.
2. Center island – Much like in a kitchen, an island can become a focal point in a walk-in closet. Islands can be used as a folding table, with many custom counter tops, such as granite or other solid-surface looks. They can also house extra cabinetry and drawers to increase the amount of storage in a closet.
3. Belt racks – Instead of heaping a handful of belts onto one hanger, custom walk-in closets can feature a belt rack. These pull-out racks hardly take up any space (think of the width of a belt), and are hidden away when not needed.
4. Jewelry drawers – Jewelry drawers are perfect for discreetly storing valuables in a walk-in closet without advertising “this is where I keep my jewelry” like a safe can. Lined with velvet or felt, your jewelry will be on display for you when you open the drawer. Jewelry drawer organizers are also available to help separate smaller valuables. Locking mechanisms are available for these drawers.
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   Here's a detail of the closet above. Despite the two doors, his clothes only take up about 20% of the closet.

   Ironing boards – Forget about the hassle of wrestling with a stand-alone ironing board, trying to get it lock in position, and then figuring out a way to fit it around furniture so the iron can still reach the plug. Installing an ironing board that either pulls out like a customizable drawer or folds out of a closet like a Murphy bed is a great accessory for a custom walk-in closet. It also makes the chore of ironing faster when clothes can go directly from the ironing board to hanging in the closet in mere seconds.

6. Hampers – Built-in hampers are also a great accessory in a walk-in closet. Instead of having unsightly dirty clothes sitting out, they can be stored away in a pull-out hamper or a tilt-out hamper. For those in a two-story home, hampers can be substituted for laundry chutes to send the dirty clothes out of the closet and directly into the laundry room for even more convenience.
7. Lounge furniture – Many formal walk-in closets are being designed with a sitting room concept. This is not only a room where one can undress, but also unwind after a stressful day. Many top designers are adding lounge furniture to complement the executive feel of high-quality custom closet organizers. Simple yet elegant benches make for comfortable spots to slip out of those formal shoes worn at work all day. Other furniture, such as a recliner, a chaise lounge, or a love seat can create an intimate setting and produce a more formal look and feel.

Designing a great custom walk-in closet can only be limited by the bounds of a homeowner’s imagination. With so many custom styles and features, a private, personalized space is well within reach.

If you would like to Fazzolari Custom Homes and Renovations help you create the custom walk-in closet of your dreams, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.